Spacecraft drag-free technology development: On-board estimation and control synthesis

Estimation and control methods for a Drag-Free spacecraft are discussed. The functional and analytical synthesis of on-board estimators and controllers for an integrated attitude and translation control system is represented. The framework for detail definition and design of the baseline drag-free system is created. The techniques for solution of self-gravity and electrostatic charging problems are applicable generally, as is the control system development

Policy options in addressing livestock's contribution to climate change

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Oestradiol and sex hormone-binding globulin in premenopausal and post-menopausal meat-eaters, vegetarians and vegans

Endogenous oestradiol is strongly associated with breast cancer risk but its determinants are poorly understood. To test the hypothesis that vegetarians have lower plasma oestradiol and higher sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) than meat-eaters we assayed samples from 640 premenopausal women (153 meat-eaters, 382 vegetarians, 105 vegans) and 457 post-menopausal women (223 meat-eaters, 196 vegetarians, 38 vegans). Vegetarians and vegans had lower mean body mass indices (BMI) and lower plasma cholesterol concentrations than meat-eaters, but there were no statistically significant differences between meat-eaters, vegetarians and vegans in pre- or post-menopausal plasma concentrations of oestradiol or SHBG. Before adjusting for BMI there were small differences in the direction expected, with the vegetarians and vegans having higher SHBG and lower oestradiol (more noticeable amongst post-menopausal women) than the meat-eaters. These small differences were essentially eliminated by adjusting for BMI. Thus this study implies that the relatively low BMI of vegetarians and vegans does cause small changes in SHBG and in post-menopausal oestradiol, but that the composition of vegetarian diets may not have any additional effects on these hormones

On the possibility for constraining cosmic topology from the celestial distribution of astronomical objects

We present a method to constrain cosmic topology from the distribution of astronomical objects projected on the celestial sphere. This is an extension of the 3D method introduced in Fujii & Yoshii (2011) that is to search for a pair of pairs of observed objects (quadruplet) linked by a holonomy, i.e., the method we present here is to search for a pair of celestial sphere $n$-tuplets for $n \geq 3$. We find, however, that this method is impractical to apply in realistic situations due to the small signal to noise ratio. We conclude therefore that it is unrealistic to constrain the topology of the Universe from the celestial distribution, and the 3D catalogs are necessary for the purpose.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure, accepted for publication in A&A (2011

The Union Must and Shall be Preserved 1864 Medal

The medal\u27s obverse features an embossed profile of Abraham Lincoln with text. At its reverse, a profile image of George Washington with flags in the foreground is depicted. Provenance note: Sold by Chuck Hand, Paris, Illinois. Original number: Lot 1, K-90.https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/fvw-artifacts/3895/thumbnail.jp

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection may elicit neutralizing antibodies targeting epitopes conserved in all viral genotypes

Anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) cross-neutralizing human monoclonal antibodies, directed against conserved epitopes on surface E2 glycoprotein, are central tools for understanding virus-host interplay, and for planning strategies for prevention and treatment of this infection. Recently, we developed a research aimed at identifying these antibody specificities. The characteristics of one of these antibodies (Fab e20) were addressed in this study. Firstly, using immunofluorescence and FACS analysis of cells expressing envelope HCV glycoproteins, Fab e20 was able to recognize all HCV genotypes. Secondly, competition assays with a panel of mouse and rat monoclonals, and alanine scanning mutagenesis analyses located the e20 epitope within the CD81 binding site, documenting that three highly conserved HCV/E2 residues (W529, G530 and D535) are critical for e20 binding. Finally, a strong neutralizing activity against HCV pseudoparticles (HCVpp) incorporating envelope glycoproteins of genotypes 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b and 4, and against the cell culture-grown (HCVcc) JFH1 strain, was observed. The data highlight that neutralizing antibodies against HCV epitopes present in all HCV genotypes are elicited during natural infection. Their availability may open new avenues to the understanding of HCV persistence and to the development of strategies for the immune control of this infection

Status and Prospects of the Fast Ignition Inertial Fusion Concept

Fast ignition is an alternate concept in inertial confinement fusion, which has the potential for easier ignition and greater energy multiplication. If realized it could improve the prospects for inertial fusion energy. It poses stimulating challenges in science and technology and the research is approaching a key stage in which the feasibility of fast ignition will be determined. This review covers the concepts, the state of the science and technology, the near term prospects and the challenges and risks involved in demonstrating high gain fast ignition